City Ordinances - Chapter 18 ANIMALS
Leash Law (Sec. 18-14)
Dogs which are properly licensed and vaccinated may be allowed outside of an enclosure if they are kept on a secure leash and accompanied by its owner or keeper.
Any dog that is found "running at large" can be impounded and the owner or keeper ticketed. Dogs who roam present a nuisance or a danger to the public and may be in danger of being hit by a car, being attacked by another animal, abuse from strangers. An animal that is impounded is done so to protect himself and the public. Top
About Your Cat (Sec. 18-14(d))
There is no leash law applying to cats. However, there are certain conditions that must be met if the cat is allowed outside of an enclosure.
In order for your cat to be legally allowed outside, the animal must remain on the owner's property, be spayed or neutered , properly licensed, vaccinated and tagged with the owners name, current address and phone number. Cat owners are responsible to insure their roaming feline is not a nuisance to neighbors or their property.
Any cat that is found "running at large" can be impounded and the owner or keeper ticketed. Cats who roam present a nuisance to the public and may be in danger of being hit by a car, being attacked by another animal, abuse from strangers. An animal that is impounded is done so to protect himself and the public.
Many people feel collars are dangerous for cats. A traditional "dog" collar could very well be. However, there are break-away collars on the market specifically designed for felines. These collars allow the cat to escape should it get caught on something. Remember, an identification tag is your pet's best chance home should it become lost.
If your cat is impounded in violation of this code, proof of rabies is required to avoid additional fees. Also, the unspayed/unneutered cat is required to be spayed/neutered as a condition of redemption. Top
Clean Up After Your Animal (Sec. 18-13)
As a pet owner you are required to remove your pets excrement from public or private property. Any person who is in violation of this section, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100.00 and no less than three seven-hour days of trash cleanup duties. Do yourself and your community a favor and make sure you carry a bag with you when you walk your companion animal. Top
Animal Bites (Sec. 18-167)
Animals that have bitten someone go through a 10 day quarantine period as required by state law. Animals that have proof of a current rabies vaccination, may be quarantined at the owners home, with the approval of the LA/SPCA. Unvaccinated animals are confined at the LA/SPCA at the owner's expense. If deemed necessary by the LA/SPCA the quarantined period may be extended. Top
Aggressive Animals (Sec. 18-292 - Sec. 18-296)
There are two classifications of aggressiveness in dogs: dangerous and vicious. Whether a dog is classified as dangerous or vicious depends on the circumstances surrounding the incidence(s). If the dog is allowed to be returned to the owner, very specific requirements must be met concerning the enclosure the dog is to be kept in, thus protecting the public as well as other animals from the dog.
Almost all dog aggression can be avoided. Responsible ownership, properly training the animal, and teaching children how to behave around dogs, all play an important role in minimizing dog aggression in our community. Top
Cruelty and Improper Care (Sec. 18-2)
Cruelty to animals is a crime! All animals are legally protected from the ignorance and apathy of evil and sometimes well-meaning people. It is unlawful to overdrive, overload or unnecessarily or cruelly beat, mutilate, kill, torture or abuse, or cause or procure to be overdriven, overloaded, cruelly beaten, mutilated, killed, tortured, or abused, any animal.
It is illegal to deprive an animal of proper food, drink, medical attention or to keep it under conditions that are unhealthy, unclean or overcrowded.
Every year, animal control must respond to complaints of dogs that has been locked in a vehicle with minimal ventilation. Animal control has the right to remove any animal that they feel may have its life threatened due to being left in the vehicle. When an animal is removed, a ticket is normally issued for "Improper Care."
Keep in mind, that the animal is removed for its safety. A dog can die in a vehicle within minutes, so next time you decide to take your dog with you, be aware of the heat and the effect it could have on your animal. Top
Reclaiming Your Pet (Sec.18-268)
Any animal that is impounded, is taken to the LA/SPCA. To reclaim your animal you must provide proof of a current rabies vaccination in order to avoid extra charges. You will be charged an impound and per-day room and board fee. After five days, the owner forfeits all rights to the animal which is then put up for adoption or humanely euthanized, depending on its health and temperament. Top
Wild and Exotic Animals (Sec. 18-7)
It is not permitted to keep within the city any monkey (nonhuman primate), raccoon, skunk, wolf, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other warm-blooded animal, poisonous or constricting snake or tarantula which can normally be found in the wild state or any member of crocodilian, including, but not limited to, alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gavials. Top
Rabies Vaccination and Tags (Sec. 18-168)
By law, all dogs and cats over three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian at least once every 12 months. Top
Minimum Standards of Care (Sec. 18-2 - Sec. 18-2.1 Amended)
The
basic standards of animal care are as follows:
Clean and fresh water must be provided at all times. Medical attention is required if an animal is sick. It is unlawful to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle. Primary shelter must protect from heat and cold, be free of debris, be large enough for the animal to stand up and turn around in and be weatherproof. Animal areas shall be cleaned regularly so that fecal matter is disposed of so not to attract rodents/insects. If multiple animals are present, each must have its own water, food and shelter. No animal shall be tethered as a primary means of confinement. Animals shall be considered abandoned if their needs are not met for more than 24 hours. When outdoor temperatures reach freezing levels, all small domestic animals must be moved indoors.
Top
Barking Dogs -- Noise Ordinance
If you have problems with barking dogs in Orleans Parish, please call NOPD. The LA/SPCA does not handle these complaints.
The section of the Noise Ordinance pertinent to animals reads as follows:
Sec. 66-203. Specific nuisance noises prohibited.
In addition to the general prohibitions set out in this article, the following specific acts are declared to be in violation of this article:
(1) Animals. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any animal or fowl to allow frequent or continuing noise which disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivity. Top
Dogs and Parades (Sec. 18-14.)
(e) ...no dogs other than dogs in parades in which dogs are the main attraction or sole participants, dogs confined on the property of their owners, dogs assigned to law enforcement canine units, seeing-eye dogs and/or dogs assisting physically challenged individuals, are allowed within 200 yards of any parade route one hour before, during, or one hour after a scheduled parade. Top |
